Assam: Tea Garden Workers Stage Dharna Across Brahmaputra Valley, Demand Fulfillment of 11-Point Charter

A CORRESPONDENT

DIBRUGARH: Tea garden workers across the Brahmaputra Valley of Assam today resorted to an hour-long dharna programme in support of their 11 point charter of demands. The protest programme was organized by the Asom Chah Mazdoor Sangha (ACMS) in around 800 registered tea gardens in the valley. In Tinsukia district, the protest programme was organized at the Rungagora Tea Estate during which the protesting tea garden workers led by the ACMS leaders demanded 500 rupees as daily wages, ST Status for tea garden community, better health care services, better education, and control in hike of prices of essential commodities among others. ACMS stated that it would intensify its agitation if their demands are not met at the earliest.

“We have already given several memoranda to the owners of tea gardens and the state government to increase the minimum wages of tea garden workers up to Rs 351. The government should know that the interim increase of wage is not permanent,” a protester said. He said, “We also press for our 11-point charter of demand. The state government has decided to allow five percent of the total land of tea estates to be used for the promotion of tourism, etc. If the land is utilized for making hospitals and schools, we have no issue. But the first preference for jobs should be given to the tea garden workers’ children.”

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